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The Nile “Gift of the Nile” Cataract-boulders make river rapid, can’t travel past Delta-marshy, triangular area of land created by silt deposits at river mouth Predictable-occurred every July Annual Harvest-once a year

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Upper and Lower Egypt Upper Egypt-located in the southern region – Skinny strip of land from First Cataract to the point where Nile branches out Lower Egypt-Nile delta region in the north Nile = transportation – Flows north

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Egypt Unites into Kingdom Narmer unites Lower and Upper regions – Evidence of crown, dates to 3000 B.C – Egypt’s first dynasty Pharaohs Ruled as Gods – Theocracy, ruled Egypt as god- king and leader of army – Full responsibility for Egypt’s well-being – Caused sun to rise, Nile to flood, crops to grow, as well as promote truth and justice

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Pyramids Ka-pharaoh’s eternal life force that would rule kingdom after his death – Tomb was more important than palace Built during the Old Kingdom – Reflects civilizations strength and technological advancement Economic strength, leadership and government organization to carry construction out 2.5-15 tons, 2 million blocks, 481 feet, 13 acres

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Religious Beliefs Polytheistic-more than one god, Re, Osisris, Isis were most important – Over 2000 gods Believed in a great afterlife that all planned for, Anubis Mummification-embalming and drying the corpse to prevent decay – Done by royal and elite class – Kings and queens built and put to rest in pyramids – Placed items the dead would need in the afterlife in their tomb Book of the Dead-scrolls containing hymns, prayers and magic spells intended to guide soul in the afterlife

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Egyptian Society Classes formed pyramid – Could move up the pyramid through marriage or skill (read/write) – Women held many of the same rights as men Own and trade property, propose marriage or seek divorce

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Written Records Hieroglyphics- “sacred carving” – First, picture stood for ideas, ten evolved into pictures standing for sounds (almost like letters in our alphabet) Papyrus-reeds used for writing – Split the reeds, placed into layers, damped and then pressed together – Formed paper-like sheets Rosetta Stone-used to translate Egyptian hieroglyphics to Greek